Maria Gabrielle Putrinda, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has confirmed that the controversial concrete seawall in Cilincing, North Jakarta, has been fully licensed and approved by national authorities.

The towering concrete pillars, which rise from the seabed to the surface, have drawn complaints from local fishermen who say the structure blocks their routes and forces them to take longer detours.

Earlier this year, a bamboo seawall stretching 32 kilometers off the coast of Tangerang also stirred nationwide controversy, with critics arguing it disrupted fishing activities and raised questions about whether Indonesia's coastal waters were being prioritized for public use or private investment.

Against this backdrop, Governor Pramono sought to clarify the situation in Cilincing.

"The seawall has received authorization from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry. I have studied the documents in detail myself," Pramono said on Saturday.

He added that the Jakarta provincial government has coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure that the project does not undermine local livelihoods.

"I have instructed the water resources department to maintain dialogue with the company responsible for the construction so that fishermen who rely on these waters are not disrupted," he said. "The priority must be ensuring that Jakarta's fishermen can continue earning their living."

Karya Citra Nusantara, the logistics and port management company overseeing the Cilincing development, said the concrete pillars are not intended to restrict fishermen's access but to serve as a breakwater – part of a larger port construction project.

The Cilincing Port, developed through a public – private partnership, is classified as a national project aimed at expanding Jakarta's maritime infrastructure.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-governor-defends-cilincing-seawall-says-project-has-full-permit